Grants make kids’ days special
From October through December, smaller clubs made a big impact through the Kiwanis Children’s Fund.
By Erin Chandler
In October, November and December, Kiwanis clubs around the world received Kiwanis Children’s Fund microgrants for projects that fostered children’s growth through memorable moments and everyday experiences. The following three projects highlight some of the ways Kiwanis clubs are using microgrants to give young people of all ages a promising start in the Kiwanis cause areas: education and literacy, health and nutrition, and youth leadership development.
Health and nutrition
Animal-Assisted Happiness
Kiwanis Club of Milpitas, California, U.S.
A Kiwanis Children’s Fund microgrant will give students with severe disabilities a day of fun with therapeutic barnyard animals. Students at Russell Middle School and Milpitas High School will be accompanied by a mainstream student “buddy” as they greet the chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and miniature goats. Many of the students have limited communication skills and difficulty interacting with people, but their caregivers say that outside stimuli and interaction with animals may help with their development. The project’s trial run, in collaboration with an organization that brings the animals directly to the school, has been a great success.
Education and literacy
Book Nooks
Kiwanis Club of Barbados-In Action, Barbados
The Kiwanis Club of Barbados-In Action has already installed “book nooks” in 37 nursery and primary school classrooms, motivating kids and teachers around the island to enjoy reading. A microgrant from the Children’s Fund will help the club toward its goal of creating 200 book nooks over the Kiwanis year. Club members set up each nook with mats, cushions, books and a book display unit, and they inaugurate the nook with a story-time session. They have also recruited community partners to continue visiting and reading to the children. This project supports the Barbados government’s initiative to improve literacy in the country — and while many programs are focusing on adults, the Kiwanis club is directing its efforts toward early learning. The club’s goal is to “create a reading revolution in Barbados” by inspiring kids to love reading, improving literacy levels and strengthening bonds between schools and communities.
Youth Leadership Development
Rock Indian Grove Rehabilitation
Kiwanis Club of Hemet Valley, California, U.S.
The Ramona Pageant, which dramatizes conflicts between Native Americans and settlers in 19th century California, is the state’s official outdoor play and has been performed annually for over 100 years. A Children’s Fund microgrant will help the Kiwanis Club of Hemet Valley become a part of this dramatic legacy as they rehabilitate the long-neglected staging area for the 75 child volunteers who portray the play’s Native American villagers. The club will fund and assist with grading the area, removing graffiti, cleaning and rebuilding a spring-fed pond, clearing brush, trimming trees and installing picnic tables. A safe and fun place for the kids to get ready for their performance will emphasize the significance of their role in telling an important story — encouraging them to stay engaged in community service and California history.
How you can help
To learn more about Kiwanis Children’s Fund microgrants, visit kiwanis.org/microgrant-program.
If you want to help the Children’s Fund provide grants like these that reach children around the world, you can make a gift to The Kiwanis Possibility Project. Your club also can apply for a grant to help kids in your community today.
